You’ve asked, and we’re here to answer! If you’ve been looking at artificial grass, we have answers to some of the top questions we get. Read on to see if your questions are here.
What Exactly is Artificial Grass?
Artificial turf is made from synthetic materials like nylon, polyethylene, or polypropylene. The grass consists of a backing material and fibers made to look like grass. Artificial turf today is available in a wide variety of colors and lengths to fit any need.
How Long has Fake Grass Been Around?
Artificial grass gained its popularity thanks to sports in the 1960s, but it quickly became used for lawns across the nation soon after. You can check out the history of artificial turf landscaping in this article.
Is it Safe for Kids & Pets?
Yes, synthetic grass is non-toxic and made from materials that are pet-friendly and safe for kids. Plus, if you choose to install artificial grass on your property, you’ll also make a better play environment for your loved ones because you won’t need fertilizer, pesticides, or other harsh chemicals anymore.
What Are Some Turf Terms I Should Know?
We get this question a lot! So here are some of the most common artificial grass terminology you’ll encounter while shopping.
Backing
The backing weight is what holds everything together. It’s basically the underside of artificial grass.
Yarn/Fiber
The yard is the “face” of the grass. This is what changes based on what colors and length you want.
Fiber Weight
Fiber weight refers to how much yarn is used per square yard of turf. The higher the face weight, the longer and denser the artificial turf’s grass will be.
Infill
The infill is what keeps the synthetic grass blades upright, protects the backing from damage caused by UV rays, and gives a more realistic feel.
Pile Height
The pile height refers to the length of the grass blades. Pile height is what makes your artificial lawn look real.
How Can it Be Used?
There are many options to choose from when it comes to artificial grass. Because it can be installed almost anywhere, you gain a competitive edge you wouldn’t get with natural grass. Here are some of the most popular types of grass we have:
Residential: Perfect for your front or backyard, Shawgrass residential turf is made to look the best and last for many years to come.
Commercial: Can help reduce how much you pay on annual maintenance costs and allows you to focus on your actual business priorities and not landscaping.
Playground: Our playground turf is designed for high-use play areas, offers the best durability and return on investment, and is IPEMA Certified and ADA accessible.
Pet Turf: We make artificial grass specifically for your four-legged friends. This turf is crafted for superior drainage to allow urine to flow through quickly.
Active Lifestyle: Shawgrass offers a complete line of putting turf, batting cage turf, and recreational turf, all designed to look and perform just like the real thing.
Performance Turf: With Shawgrass performance turf, you can turn your gym or indoor sporting venue into a top-notch facility.
Can it Be Installed on Hard Surfaces?
Yes, you can install artificial grass over concrete, paving slabs, and asphalt. We do recommend adding extra cushioning under the grass to make it softer. Any large cracks or dips should be filled and leveled before adding the turf.
Can it Be Put Over Regular Grass?
No, we do not recommend placing artificial turf over existing grass. This is because you can run into drainage issues, leveling issues, and it’s possible for some of the grass or weeds underneath to grow up through your artificial turf.
Could I Install it Myself?
While installing artificial grass can be a DIY project, we don’t recommend it. To get a nice even-looking surface, you’ll want to rely on the pros. You can check out 8 reasons we DON’T recommend you install it yourself in this article.
What Should I Ask My Installer?
Your synthetic grass installer should be a wealth of knowledge. There are two categories of questions to ask an artificial turf installer — before installation and after. Check out this article we did covering some of these questions.
How Do You Clean Artificial Grass?
Cleaning artificial turf is simple! It won’t require nearly as much maintenance that regular grass does. To keep your synthetic grass looking good, you should check out our guide to keeping it clean.
Can Synthetic Turf Melt?
Artificial grass won’t melt because of the sun, but a hot ember from an open fire pit can melt your turf. That’s why we recommend adding a patio area using stones or gravel large enough to accommodate seating and installing a fire break for the fire pit.
How Long Will It Last?
With advances in technology, top-of-the-line artificial turf will last well over 10 years. There are many factors that affect how long the grass will last (if it’s in the sun or shade, how much foot traffic it gets, etc.), so we recommend talking to our team to learn more about our warranties.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of your final artificial grass project will vary depending on these factors:
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Square footage
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Site access & prep
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Type of turf
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Special features
Don’t See Your Questions?
We’d love to hear from you! Contact us today with any other questions you might have about our artificial grass.